Turning Negatives Into Into Positives

At the phenomeNEWS’ Body• Mind •Spirit Festival in April, I spoke about the individual challenges the zodiac signs were facing this year and how those challenges could actually make our lives better. I looked back at Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the Gulf Coast last August and how it was the catalyst for change in many people’s lives and created new challenges for our country too. Katrina means “cleansing” and it certainly did just that. New Orleans is the root chakra of our country and as spiritual healers know, when the root chakra is damaged, all other energy points in the body do not function efficiently or at all.

Since Katrina, we have seen gas prices go up, unemployment go up and the announcement of General Motors, Delphi and many other large corporations cutting back their workforce. People are being forced to move, change jobs and uproot their families. It seems that more and more of my personal consultations have to do with clients making major life changes; the kind that will affect their directions and attitudes for years for come.

For the most part, we as a society, don’t like change, unless we can control it. We couldn’t control Katrina or the devastation that took place. But we can control how we play the cards that we are dealt. My New Orleans friend, Cheryl Welliver lost everything last August and is now living in a trailer, rebuilding her wedding video production business. We visited over Easter and she told me that her life has never been better. Her business is growing and even stronger than ever. She is happier without all of the “stuff.” My other New Orleans friend evacuated to Alabama, where she will stay and her motto has always been “When life throws me lemons, I make lemonade.” So, this is the basis for my column this month.

Astrologically, all of the zodiac signs are being asked by the universe (and in some cases, forced) to make a big change. What is it? Let’s find out. If you know you rising sign, read it too.

Aries • Your lesson this year is to learn patience. Sound familiar? Your patience has already been tested by people and situations in which you have no control over. You are ready to jump and take action but are being called on by the universe to sit back, relax, think things through and then take tiny steps in a new direction. This is not a time to throw caution to the wind or you could make huge mistakes. Also you may find there are issues with your children that need to be addressed. Again, you want to make things “right,” right away. But you must learn that there is a process that your children may need to go through, on their own, for their spiritual growth. As you learn not to jump in and “save” everyone, as you learn that there is a process to recovery and healing, your relationships with your children and others improve.

Taurus • Your lesson this year has to do with your home and family. Taurus is very domesticated and doesn’t like change. Many of the Taureans who were displaced because of Katrina or a company closing felt their life long security threatened. The lesson here, may very well be, that security comes from within rather than from what you have. Taurus will have concerns for their family members; their trials and tribulations. Many will have to move because of circumstances beyond their control. But maybe it is time to move... to experience change and be open to living somewhere else. New experiences and relationships will develop that you will be forever grateful for.

Gemini • The Twins lesson is about communication and developing a new way to thinking. You will, at times, feel as if you are put on the “defense” by others; challenged in your way of thinking. This is a period in which you should ask yourself; “What can I learn from these different viewpoints?” You may be surprised at how much you will learn. You will be introduced to many new people and situations that you feel are foreign to you. But the universe is putting these situations in your path; some of them uncomfortable enough that they force you to consider new viewpoints. After this transit is over, you will feel and think differently about life and your direction. Your world will expand because of your willingness to look at all of your options.

Cancer • Your lesson this year is about money; to learn the difference between what you think you need and what you really need. In other words, materialism versus spiritualism. You will learn to do more with less and recognize the value of simple things. You will learn to save money because you have to. No matter how hard you work to save, it appears something will come up that will drain your finances. This transit doesn’t go on forever, only long enough change the way you depend, think and feel about money and perhaps even your own self worth. When it is over, you will spend money much differently and know what you really value the most. You will be able to draw greater wealth to you in so many new, wonderful ways.

Leo • Your entire life is changing and it will for the better, although you may not see it right now. You are getting rid of everything in your life that is not working. Whether you are ready to or not, you must let go of dead end jobs, relationships etc. The longer you hang onto a losing proposition, the more stressful the situation will be. During such a transit, you will be challenged in the areas that need changing. If there are many, even if you don’t want to, you may have to let them go. If there are just a few, it may be that those few issues are what holds you back from true happiness. By late next year, you will be a brand new person. Now you get a chance to make a clean sweep.

Virgo • Your lesson is to “roll with the flow” in regards to relationships. There will be many unexpected changes in this area. But the changes in the long run will be better for you. In the past few years, you have begun to look at your life and think, I have done so much for others, but what I have done for myself? You are now anxious to take care of your own needs for a change. You have a chance to bring closure to relationships and heal old wounds that have been buried for years, even on a subconscious level. You may have to face unpleasant people and situations during this transit. Yes, some times this can be painful. But know that the universe is on your side, pushing and prodding you, to release the chains of the past, once and for all. When this transit is over, you will be guilt free and fearless; as if nothing can hold you back from getting ahead in the future.

Libra • Your lesson is friendship. You may have 100 best buddies today but by this time next year, you may have only ten. You will be disappointed with others this year and come to realize who it is you can trust and who you can’t. But the reason all of this is happening is really to weed out many of the negative people in your life that are no longer needed for your spiritual growth. Too many times we hang onto relationships past their prime; out of obligation or self imposed responsibilities for others. We cling to abusive or negative friendships, even people who we know are using us, because we don’t want to be alone or are afraid to speak up for ourselves. In letting go, you are making room for new people to enter your life. These new friends will provide a burst of positive energy and give you support to create the type of future you seek.

Scorpio • Your biggest challenge is also your largest reward this year. If you are stuck in a job you hate or if career demands have become burdensome, you will look for new employment. You may get fired, lose your job, etc. But if these things happen, don’t worry because something better is right around the bend. The universe is telling you that you can no longer grow as person or as a soul in the current position you are in. So, things could get a little testy at the office. In turn, you’ll get mad enough to search elsewhere. Then the universe will reward you with a wonderful new position and probably more money. However, if you have tolled long and hard and never felt as if you have received your fair due, this is the year that you will get it. You may also feel a need to redefine who you are in relationship to your career. Consider this period a time of great reward in the area of employment. One way or another, the universe will put you on a destined path. It has optimum use for your talents now.

Sagittarius • Your lesson this year is about spiritual growth. Your belief system could change a great deal. You may even question the meaning of life more than ever. You may feel choked, trapped and as if you are ready to make major changes in your life. It’s as if you wish to “escape” but you’re not sure to what or where. But the universe has its hand on your back; subtly, slowly guiding you in a new direction. You may encounter power struggles with others and in situations that you never have experienced before. The present is now becoming the past. It’s as if a part of you has died and there is a rebirth, a new “you” emerging. You can feel it. You can sense it. Many areas of your life are breaking down and rebuilding themselves. Those that you resist the changes in, will be difficult. But if you roll with the flow, there will be wonderful new experiences and opportunities handed to you. Spiritually, you will grow by leaps and bounds. You must allow old ideas to die so you can experience the new birth. Don’t try to hang onto the past any longer. You won’t be able to anyway. Spirit is moving you in a wonderful, new direction.

Capricorn • Similar to the Sagittarius lesson, this year, yours is also about death and regeneration. Not in terms of actual mortal death, but by allowing parts of your life to fade away that are no longer valid, to allow something new and better to come along. This could be a relationship, a job, a situation, etc. You are also learning a great deal about money this year; what you owe and what it owed to you. It is very important that you learn to be responsible for all debts. It will seem as if every time you get ahead financially, another bill comes in, often at the worst possible time. Just about the time you are feeling comfortable, with your debt load and have paid off a big bill, something will come up that needs your attention. This is not a time to loan money to others because you will not likely get paid back. Your lesson is to not create unnecessary debt and to live within your means. You will also learn how important a rainy day fund is. In return, you could be debt free by September 2007 and have your financial situation in perfect condition. It’s as if you have wiped the slate clean of money issues by late next year.

Aquarius • These next 15 months brings relationships lessons of all kinds. You will be letting go of worn out relationships; those that are holding you back. These could include marriages, business partnerships, family, friends and such. Your needs are changing in regards to what you want and expect and are willing to give and receive from others. You will no longer put up with anything less than you feel you deserve from specific unions. You are not the same person you were six months ago and perhaps even six weeks ago, when it comes to love and relationships. The strong relationships in your life will also be tested and challenged but if they are truly meant to last, they will survive and prove to be more solid and secure than ever before. The weak ones, the relationships that have run their course and no longer serve a purpose in your life, will fade and eventually come to an end. You are getting rid of what you no longer need and drawing what you do need from others. You are making room for many beneficial and wonderful new relationship to come into your life.

Pisces • “Expect the unexpected” has been your motto for a while now and it will continue to be. Your life is changing like never before and what you expect from it is also changing. One of the biggest areas of change could be health.

This is a great time in which to heal yourself and create a nurturing environment around you. You’re like a sponge and soak things in very easily. You are a product of your environment. If everyone in your environment is happy, you are too. If people are miserable, you have a tendency soak up those energies because you are a sensitive soul. You will become much more aware of how your body responds to your environment and learn how to work with it. If you have a health issue, this would be the perfect time to overcome it. If you want to lose weight, quit smoking or kick a bad habit, this is the time you can do it. You can be healthier than ever; emotionally, physically and spiritually. But you will need to eliminate stress and its source. Much of the stress this year could be job related. The job itself is not the problem but the people you must work around, are. How you relate and deal with these co- workers will either help or hinder your stress levels, which in turn heal or hurt your body. By the time you are done with this cycle, you will have learned and hopefully put into practice, how the body is influenced by its environment and how to create a more peaceful place for it to exist in the world.

Maria Shaw relationship astrologer, has offices in New Orleans, Detroit and Fort Lauderdale. Author of “Heart and Soul.” Workshops and lectures. Visit www.MariaShaw.com or call (810) 631-6887.onal & Global Transformation: Secrets of a Love Master” available now at www.TheLoveCenter.com and in bookstores September, 2006.